Driving mechanism and support therefor.



. A. W. ALTORFER. DRIVING MECHANISM AND SUPPORT THEREFOR.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 26, 19101 Patented Dec. 10, 1912. j

2SHEETS-SHEBT 1.

lbw/liar Ala/fleas WA/Mrfer v A. WL A LTORFER. DRIVING MECHANISM AND. SUPPORT THEREFOR. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 26. 19101 1,947,119, Patented Dec. 10, 191- 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

[n venmr i 35 chine.

40 be put into the wringer direct from. the

UN ED STATES A Enrorr-icn .VALPI-IEUS- w. ,anronrsn, or RCA-KORE; rumors, Assmnon' rofrownn wasnme imonmn 00., OFPEORIA'ILLINQIS', A CORPORATION orIL mqis.

DRIVING MECHANIS AND surron'r 'rnnnnron.

speciiicationof'letters Pe ite zit. 'i tented Iiec.i0,'1 912.f

Application and September as, 1910. Serialno. 583,818,

To all whom it mag concern:

Be it known that I, Anrnsus W. Anronrnn,

a citizen of the United States,- residing at Roanoke, in the county of Woodford and- 5 State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Driving Mecha-= nism and Suppoi'tsTherei-I following is a specification. v

This invention has reference to a com-' 'bined driving mechanism for a wringer anda washin machine,and hasfor its objectto provi e an apparatus capable ofcon.-

. tainin or supporting, both a wringer. and;

a was ing machine, and having a power mechanism for driving a washing machine independently of or simultaneously withthe The invention has for a further object to provide 'an -apparatus of the character described, having power mechanism for drivor of which the ing a washing machine and a wringer; said mechanism including clutch devices, whcreby the wringer may be intermittently con- 3 nected with thep'ower, and reversed at the will of the operator for driving the wringer 1n OPPOSltG directions; Y

A further object of the invention, is to provide an apparatus supporting a movable frame to which may be .attached a wringer; power devicesg means for inter: mittently connecting the power with the wringerin different positions and for'driving said wringer in different directions, and ,powerdevicesfor operating'a washing mas The entire apparatus is so constructed that a washing machine may be supported on the'same and the'wringer movedinto proximity thereto, whereby theclothes may washing machine and when wrung deposited in a tub which may also be supported on said apparatus. Y v A further object of this invention is the provision of. a mainframe adapted to supporta washingmachine, having a supplemental frame adapted to support a wring-er mechanism and movable on said mainframe, said supplemental frameb'eing mounted .on supporting members or runners which, slide on said main frame and having a lower-meniber connecting said supporting members or runners, and clutch devices movable with said supplemental frame for operatively connecting" said wringer mechanism to the main shaft.- I

hat the invention may be more fully understood, reference is had to" the accomipanying drawings, in which Figure 'Lis'a perspective view of my machine; Fig. 2 is an end elevation looking at the right-hand end'of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan of the reversibleldrive for "'the' -wringer' ;'Fig.' 4 a cross section showing a part of the main frame, wringer supporting frame, reversible-".driye and-housingor covering for said drive, and Fig; 5 is a detail ini-perspect-ive showingsthe locking means for the clutchjthrowing'rod. l Like numerals of reference-indicate 'cor- "0 responding parts throughout the figures.

In the drawings" the numeral 1-- designates the machine's'upport or main frame preferably-rectangular in form and havin the longitudinal side members 1,- the. end

members 2 and the end supporting members or legs 3. 1 y Extending longitudinally of the frame,

.and preferably located adjacentto and upon the outside of one of -the side members" 1,. is a driving shaft-4 which .is journaled in suitable bearings 5 attached or secured,- preferably tot-heqlegs at the endst; the frame. n one end of this shaft are carried-pulleys 6 and 7; The latter is the driving pulley. for the shaft 4 and said; pulley may receive its power in any suitiible'manner and from -anv suitable source of power,

and while I have shown said pulley 7 as a single pulley, it is or course understood'that no it may comprise a fast and loose member on the shaft, with means forshift-ing the belt or other driving means. The-pulley 6 is used for transmitting power from the shaft 4 to the power mechanism of a washing machine, in a manner which I shall now explain. v r l A washing machine, whichhaveadesignated A, a'nd which may of any approved construction, so longasfllt has a driving'wheel B carried on; an operating shaft 0, may be seated within theiframe of the apparatus, in manner shown,1 or supported directly on the frame of said'apparatus".

To operate the wheel B of the machine,

"and saidjbelt travels cross-wiseof the ap- U paratus'fsa'nd around "an idler ulley 9 carried' by 'a' short shaft journa ed in a bear-- ing of abracket ll. This bracket is' slotted 5 as at 12 and adjustably held in. position by a bolt 13. By adjusting the bracketflll up,

or -down the frictionaleng'agement of belt 8 onthe pulley 9 may be increased or de-' d. t

10, In connection with ,said apparatus, I prortvide 'a'supplemental frame for supporting a wringer mechanism, which -supplemental frame is so mounted as to be movable on said main frame to position said wringer at various positions relative to the washing machine supported on one end of said main; frame. This supplemental frame is preferably slidable on'the main frameand comprises spaced uprights or standards and a' 20.head or .top piece connected thereto. on which the Wringer mechanism is mounted.

These uprights or standards are preferably positioned on opposite sides of said main. frame and are supported von supporting "members or runners which are slidable on said side members 2 of the main frame.

Suitable'driving mechanism is'provided for said wringer including clutch devices slidable with 'said supplemental frame on said so shaft 4 and which may be clutched thereto 'at' any position of said supplemental frame.

These runners are connected by a brace member which preferably extends beneath said side members and supports the actuatin ,35 means for'said clutch devices. A detaile description of this construction follows.

1 slidable longitudinally. on the upper edge's'i'of the side members '1 of the main frame are theoppositely disposed supportwing members or. runners 14, which are con-- nected by the brace, bar or plate 15, extending down alongside the side members 1 and then transversely across the main frame be- .neath the side members. These supporting members or runners 14 are provided with supporting portions for a supplemental frame, whiehsupporting portions take the form of sockets 14c having the vertical wall 14" to which the supplemental frame is attached. The latter comprises the spaced uprights or standards 16 and the head or top piece 17, these members constituting the. support for the wringer D, of any well known or approved construction, which may '55 be attached or clamped thereto in any suitable manner. To one oft-he rolls of said; -wringer is connected shaft E which carries a pulley 18 or other suitable driving member which is operated through the following connections. H a

The shaft t is preferably provided for a portion of its length with a groove or keyway 19, see Figs. 1 and 3, and carried on the shaft and having a key fitting said key-way carried, but loose on said'shaft, are a pair of and 22 havingclutch faces 23, adapted; have a' clutch engagement-with the clnt member 20. The gear wheels 21' and 22 wheel 24; carried on astud 25 connected with a bracket 26 supported and carried by ne of the brackets 14. fiThe runner 26 is provided with spaced bearings 27 between which the through which passes the shaft '4, said bracket being slidable with said gears 21 and 22 on the shaft 4;. The gear wheel24 has attachedthereto or formed integrally ing the driving member. wheel 28 drives a flexible driving connection 29, which may, bea belt or a sprocket chain carried aroundand operates the wheel 18 on the wringerr shaft'YEn v When-jsliding the supplemental frame; the bracket 26 will move with it .andshove'the gear wheels 21 and 22 along onshaft 4.

The gearing, including members 21, 22, 24 and 28, is covered by a-housing 35 suitably attached to bracket'26 which will protecta gears.

30 designates a rocking rod or operating bar which extends vtransversely of and beneath the framepieces 1 and hasa bearing in the runners 14. One end of the operating -bar is provided with a crank ,31to'enable an operator to rock the operating bar, while ating member'or finger 32. having suitable connection with the clutch 20. Itis obvious, that by rocking the operating rod 30 in either direction that the clutch member 20 will be caused to alternately engage the gear wheels 21 and 22 which will rotate the gear wheel 24 in opposite directions. This action is very desirable in a machine of this character for the reasonthat clothes will get caught in the wringer and it is necessary to reverse the operation ,to v untangle-the, same; The crank 31 may be locked. in adjusted positions by causing'i-tto engage in notches 33 of a plate or member 34 attached to one of the uprights 16, see Figs. 2 and 5.

lVith a Washing machine contained in or .supported on the frame of the apparatus, as :shown in Fig. 1, the 'wringer mechanism position adjacent the washing'machine, so

machine and passed through the wringer. If so, then a tub, designated as F, containing rinse water, may be supportedcn the opposite end of the frame, to r'eceive-the clothes,

is a slidable clutch member 20; also siidably oppositely disposed driving gear wheels 2L;

mesh-with and are adapted to drive a gear.

gear wheels 21 and 22 are carried and therewith a driving wheel 28, which may be a sheavewheelas shown in Fig.- 3, or a sprocket wheel asshown in Fig. 4 constitut-' The driving person from having his-clothes caught in thetached to its opposite end is'a-clutch throwthat clothes may be taken from the washing then the wringer and supplemental frame and said flexible driv mgconnection 29 iswith the wringer frame may be moved to a,

again passed basket or other suitable receptacle. T he supplemental frame being an open frame, it

is readily seen that it may be .passed over the tub F; With the mechanism arranged as shown, the Wringer may be'operated at will .in several different positions on the appaas; suppler ne'ntal frame in different positions ,ratus', and simultaneouslywith or independently of the washing machine. -What'I claim is 1. In a machine of the character described,

1 combination, a main frame, a supplemental frame mounted on said main frame, "said supplemental frame including spaced Y jupright's or standards sides of said main frame, "nectedto said uprights positioned on opposite a headpiece conor standards and extending transversely across said and-adapted to bedriven fro a suitable source of power, a driving mechanism at the head end of said supplemental frame, a driving member at thebase of said supplemental fmme, a permanent driving connection between said. driving mechanism and said driving member, means for connecting said driving-member with said shaft, said means being so constructed that the driving member ianay be operated in opposite directions from said shaft, said supplemental .fraine being so mounted on said main frame that the supplemental frame ma be moved to position the driving mechanism on the relative to said main frame, and the driving connections between the driving mechanism .and said driving member being so arranged 40' that the movement of the supplemental frame will not disturb the permanent rela tion of said driving connection.

2. In a machine of'the character described,

[in combination, a main frame, a supplemental fame mounted on said main frame. said supplemental frame including spaced uprights or standards positioned on opposite sides of said main franie, a head piece connected to said uprights or standards and extending transversely across said main frame,

' a shaft journaled on said main frame and adapted to bedriven from a suitable source of power, a driving mechanism at the head end of said supplemental frame, a driving member at the base ofsaid supplemental frame, a permanent driving connection be tween said driving mechanisii'i'and said driving member, means for connecting said driving member with said shaft, said means ineluding reversible clutch connections Wheresaid supplemental frame being so mounted by the driving member may be operated in main frame, a shaft .journaled on saiilmain frame said supplemental frame opposite directions from said shaft, said supplemental frame being so mounted on said main frame that the supplemental frame may be moved to position the driving niec'ha-T. different positions ;nisni on the supplemental frame in different 5 positions relative to said main frame, and deposited iii a the driving connections between the driving mechanism and said driving member being so arranged that the movement of the supplemental frame will not disturb the permanent relation of said'driving connection.

3. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a main frame, a mental frame mounted on said main frame, including spaced. uprights or standards positioned on opposite sides of said main frame, a head piece coir nected to said uprights or standards and extending transversely across said main frame, a shaft journaled on said main frame and adapted to be driven from a suitable source of power, a driving mechanism at the head end of said supplemental frame, a driving member at the base of said supplemental frame, a permanent driving connection between said driving mechanism [and said driving member, means for connectim said driving member with said shaft, said means including reversible clutch connec-- tions whereby the driving member may be operated in opposite directions from said shaft, a lever arrangement for controlling said clutch connections, said supplemental frame being so mounted on said main frame that the supplemental frame may be moved to position the driving mechanism on the supplemental frame in different positions relative to said main frame, and the driving connections between the driving mechanism and said driving member being so arranged that the movement of the supplemental frame will-not disturb the permanent relation of said driving connection.

4. In a machine of the character described,

in combination, a main frame,'a supple-' mental frame mounted on said main frame, said supplemental frame including spaced uprights or standards, a head niece connected to said uprights or standards, a shaft jouriialed on said main frame and adapted to be driven from a suitable source of power, a driving mechanism at the'head end of said supplemental frame, a driving member at. the base of said supplemental frame, a permanent driving connection between said driving mechanism and said driving nemher, means for connecting said driving member "with said shaft, said means including reversible clutch connections whereby the driving member may be operated in opposite directions from said shaft. a lever arrangement for controlling said clutch connections,-

means for locking said lever arrangement to hold said clutch connections in position,

on said mainframe that the supplemental frame may be moved to position the driving mechanism on the supplemental frame in relative to said main suppleframe, and the driving connections between the driv ng mechamsm andsaid dr vingmember being, so arranged that the movement of the supplemental frame will not dis,-

turb the permanent; relation of said driving supplemental frame mounted on said main connection.

5. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a main frame, a'

supplemental frame mounted'on said main frame, said supplemental frame including spaced uprights or standards, a-head piece connected to said uprights or standards, .a

shaftjournaled on said 'main frame and adapted to be driven from a suitable source of power, a driving mechanism at the head end of said supplemental'frame, a driving member at the base of said supplemental 1 frame, a permanent driving connection beon said shaft, said driving member driven from said spaced gears,-means tween said driving mechanism and said driving member, means for connecting said driving membe'rwith said shaft, said means including spaced bevel gears loosely slidable being for clutching eitherof said spaced gears to said shaft-, said supplemental frame being so mounted on said main frame that the. sup plemental frame may be moved to position the driving mechanism on the supplemental frame in different positions relative to said -main frame, and the driving connections be- .tween the driving mechanism-and said drivconnectedto adapted to be driven from a ing member being so arranged that the movement ofthe supplemental frame .will

not disturb the permanent relation of-said driving connecti n.

6. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a main frame, a supplemental frame mounted on said main frame, said supplemental frame including spaced uprights or standards, ahead piece said uprights'or standards, a main frame and suitable source of power, a driving mechanism at the head end of said supplemental frame, a driving member at the base of said supplemental frame,a permanent driving connection between said driving mechanism and said driving memshaft journaled on said ber, means for connecting said driving member with said shaft, said meansincluding spaced bevel gears loosely slidable on said- :shaft, said driving-member being driven.

from said spaced gears, a clutch member interposed between said spaced gears and shaft, said clutch "member-being. adapted to clutch either of said spaced gears to said shaft, said supplemental frame being so" mounted on said main frame that the supplemental frame maybe moved to position the drlvmg mechanism on the supplemental frame in different posit ons relative} to said main frame, said drivingconnections between the driving mechanism and, said driving member beingso arranged that 'the movement of the sup- ..plemental frame will not disturb the permanent relation ofsaid driving connection.

7;"In a machine of the character de-- scribed, in combination, a main frame, a

frame, said supplemental frame including including spaced bevel gears loosely slida'ble" on said shaft, said driving member being driven from. said 'spaced gears, a clutch member interposed between said spaced spaced uprights or standards, a head piece 7 gears and slidably keyed to said shaft, said,v

clutch member being adapted to clutdb either of said spaced gears to said shaft, a I

lever arrangement to operate said clutch member, said supplemental frame being so mounted on said main frame that the supplem'ental frame may be moved to position the driving-mechanism on the supplemental frame in different position relative to said main frame, said drivingcoimections between the driving mechanism and said driving member being so arranged that the movement of the supplemental frame will not disturb the permanent relation of said driv-' ing connection.

8. In a machine of -the character de scribed, in combination, a? main frame, a supplemental frame mounted on said mam frame, said supplemental frame including spaced upright-s or standards, a head piece i connected to said uprigbtsor standards, a

shaft journaled on said main frame and adapted to be'driven from a suitable source of power, a driving mechanism at the head end of sand supplemental frame, a driving member at the base of said' supplemental frame, a permanent driving connection betweenv said driving mechanism and said dr1v1ng member, means for connecting said driving member w1th said shaft, said means on said shaft, said driving member being driven from said spaced gears, a clutchv including spaced bevel gears loosely slidablef gears and 'slidably keyed to saidshaft, said clutch member being adapted to clutch either of said spaced gears to said shaft, a'

lever arrangement to operatesaid 'clutch member, means-for locking saidjlever arrangement to hold said clutch member in position, mounted on said main frame that the supplemental fram'e may be moved to position said supplemental frame-being so" the driving mechanism on the supplemental frame in ditl'erei'it positions relative to said main frame su Jport, said driving connections between the riving mechanism and said driving member being so arranged that the movement ofthe supplemental frame Will notdisturb the permanent relation of said driving connection.

' t In a machine of the character described, in combination, a main frame, a supplemental frame mounted on said u ain frame,

said. supplemental fran'ie including spaced uprights or standards, a head piece connected to said uprights or standards, a shaft journalcd on said main frame and adapted to be. driven from a suitable Source of power, .a driving mechanism at the head end of said supplemental frame, a driving member at the base of said" supplemental frame, a permanent driving connection between said driving mechanism and said driving member, means for connecting sald driv ng member with said shaft,

said means includingspaced bevel 'gears loosely -slidable' on said shaft, said driving member being driven from said spaced gears, a clutch member interposed between said spaced gears and slidably keyed to said shaft, said clutch member being adapted to,

clutch either of said space-d gears to said shaft, a lever arrangement to operate said clutch member, 'said supplemental frame hei ng mounted on said main frame that the supplemental frame may be moved to position the driving mechanism on the supple.- mental frame in different ositions relative to said main frame, said driving connections between the driving mechanism and sand dri ing member being so arranged that the.

. shaft journaled on said frame and adapted to be driven from a suitable source of power, a mechanism support, a mechanism on said mechanism support, a driving member adapted to: be driven from said shaft, and movable longitudinally therealong, a permanent driving connection between said driving member and said mechanism, reversible clutch devices between said shaft and said driving member for controlling the operation of the mechanism, said clutch de-.

.vices being movable along said shaft with said driving member, means for controlling said clutch devices, said mechanism support being so mounted on said main frame that it may be moved to position said mechanism in different positions relative to said maiJi frame, and the driving connections between said mechanism and said shaft being so artween. 7

ranged that the movementof the mechanism support will not disturb thepermanent re?" lation therebetwe'en- 2 j 11. In a machine of the-character de-. scribed, in combination, -a :main frame; a shaft journaled on said frame "and adapted to be driven from a suitable source of'poweramechanism support, a mechanism on said mechanism support, a driving member adapted to be driven from said shaftnand movable longitudinally'therealong,.-a permanent driving connection -between said a driving member and said mechanism, re versiblc clutch-devices between said shaft and said driving member for controlling the A operation of the mechanism, said clutch devices being movable along said shaft with said driving member, a lcver'arrangement to control said reversible clutch devices, said mechanism support being so ihounted onjg said main-frame that it may be moved to" position said mechanism indifferent posig tions relative .to saidmain f'frame, and. the

driving connections between said--mecha nism and said shaftbeing so arranged that the movement of the mechanismjsupport'will notdisturb'the permanent relation therebe 12. In a-machine of. the character dev scribed, in combination, a main frame, a 5 shaft journaled infsaid frame andadapted to be driven from a suitable source of power, a supplementall frame including spaced uprights or standards and ahead or top piece connected theretoi amechansm mounted on said supplementa frame,.a lrivi ng-member adapted to be operatiyelyconnected with said shaft, a permanentgconnection' between said driving' member and said mechanism, reversible clutch devices-for connecting said drivingfmember to said shaft, ineans for controlling said clutch devices, said'clutch de vices andsaid drivin' member being mov- .able with said supp ementalframe along said main frame. 13; In a'device o t e character described,

in combination, a main frame including longitudinal side members, a shaft,- supporting members or runners-mounted to slide on said slde members, asupplemental frame sup- .1 15

ported on said supporting members or runners, drivingmechanismv mounted on the upper portion of said supplemental frame, a pair of gears. spaced. apart and loosely slidable on said shaft, each of said gears havinga clutch face,'a clutch member siidabiykeyed to said shaft and positioned between said gearsandhaving chltch faces corresponding to said clutch faces on saidgears, abracket"connected to one of said supporting members or runners. and havin r spacedbearings embracing said gears an also ha'ving'mounted thereon an additional gear meshing with both of said gears, 11 permanent connection between said additional v gear and said driving mechanism on 'said supplementalframe, and means for movin said clutch member" into engagementwitl i either of said clutch faces, said means" com: prlsmgarod extend ng transversely of said main frame and having bearings 'in said members, a supplemental frame comprising spaccd uprights or standards and a top or head piece connected thereto, support1ng members orrunners movable along said s1de members, said supporting members or run- -l-f-nersa having vertically extending support-;

1.11nembers, tab-supplemental 'frame' comprising spaced prights oristan'dardsand a top. or

or standards. anda head piececonnectlnging portions to; which saiduprights or standaids are connected.

15. 'A machine support or frame including a main 'frame having longitudinal side head piece connected thereto, supporting members or runners movablealongsaid side members, sald supporting members or' run-f ners haying vertically extending supporting ortions to which said uprights or standd s e connected,- and. having bearing ingamain "frame having-"l0 'tudinal side members, .a supplemental 'e-gomprising I spaced uprights or standards and atop for m ber or runners mofabl'e along sai S'ide members, said supportingl menibers '0r runing longitudinalside members, en'd support- .ing' members, -a--floor' or bottom mounted' on said side members,-f at'-supplemental frame; mqunted on said-machine support or frame",

ineans engagingand adapted to travel upon said side members. W 16. A machine supportTor frame includ- 11ers having vertically extending supporting portions to-which said uprightsor stand-, ards are-connected, one of said supporting members or runners being-provided with a pair of spaced aud 'liuedbearing sleeves 1.7. A'machine -support or frame, includ? ihglohgitudinalf side members, end supporting members, a. floor or. bottom mountedon said side .member's, a supplemental ;fr ame mounted on'said machine support. or 4 fra-me, said supplemental franie including-' uprights or standards, and a hieadipieceicon- I meeting said uprights'ior standards supporta ing members orrunners slidable on said side members, and having sockets formed therein, said upright's'i'or standards being'seated in said sockets and secured to said support- --ing members or runners.

18. -A m'ach1ne support or frame, includs'aid supplemental irame 'including-uprights ,s'aid uprights or? standards," supporting membersbr runnersfsaid uprights or standards.being mountedI thereon, said supportingmembers or runners being rovided with a bearing means in the'form o a flange, sa d flange adapted torestfand 'move upon'sa-id side "members." f 4 I Intestimony whereof I- aifix my signature, inpresence of two witnesses.

Aure ius A TORFERL Witnesses? p w I 7f --S.-"C. SOUDEIQL H; D. HOLL NBAoK. I

Copies of this patent may be obtained forflive cents each, by addressing the Commissioner 0t Patents,

. Washington, D. G. y 

